Mel Kiper & Todd McShay Look At Ravens' Draft Needs

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 26, 2011 4:00 PM EDT

Monday afternoon, the ESPN NFL crew took a look at what they expect the Baltimore Ravens to do with the 26th pick in Thursday's 2011 NFL Draft. Two of the best in the business, Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay debated what the Ravens should be looking for as their first round pick comes up. Kiper thinks that despite the team needs in the secondary, he sees the front seven of the defense the biggest obstacle to their success. He acknowledges that there is no wide receiver to stretch the field, although he mentions that the team is high on last year's fifth round draft choice, David Reed.

McShay seems to agree with the most pressing need being the team's lack of a pass rush, thinking that if the draft goes as expected, Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward might be a great fit in the Ravens defensive scheme. However, he thinks that if Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith falls to the Ravens, then he'd be a "steal" that the team just should not overlook. He closes in saying that the team should also look for another safety, noting that Ed Reed "can't play forever." Perhaps he forgot about two guys named Zbikowski and Nakamura, who are already on the roster?

The host, who name escapes me at this moment, noted that the Ravens should not ignore their offense as they ranked 27th in the NFL in passing plays over 20 yards and 25th in the NFL in running plays over 20 yards. Ouch.

Also check out NFL.com for their "Ravens on the Clock" video from last week.

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Comments

I hate the Heyward pick. A life long Steeler fan and not as strong as people think he is.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 26, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed. Plus he’s coming off a big surgery. I don’t think he’ll be there at 26, though…

by JoshuaStein on Apr 26, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bet he will

dtaft stock falling.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 26, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

If he’s at 26 and Jimmy Smith isn’t, Heyward might just be the best player available. He’d be hard to pass up, I think.

by JoshuaStein on Apr 26, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

His daddy

had a real hard head.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 26, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Made of steel or copper...zinc....bronze alloy...cubic zirconium...something like that.

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

"Ironhead" Heyward

by instinct07 on Apr 26, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Heyward

I agree with this. From what I’ve read, his pass rush is limited. I think we have guys like this already on our roster.

by 60minuteassassin on Apr 27, 2011 6:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Second paragraph

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 26, 2011 4:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Correct me if I’m wrong, but does it say “lack of a ass rush”?

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 26, 2011 4:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No idea of what you're talking about

Jeez, fixed that REAL fast. Typo or Freudian slip? Damn keyboard on this stupid netbook makes the outside keys not type unless you push hard and hit them in the middle of the letter. Constantly missing the “a” and “p” and “o” letters until people like you see them just before I do.

Thanks!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 26, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries

I only mentioned it because technically it should “lack of AN ass rush”.

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 26, 2011 4:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Haha, we definitely need to address the ass rush in the first 3 rounds this weekend.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 26, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Hahaha!!

by 60minuteassassin on Apr 27, 2011 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions

i see the ravens needing three impact posistions: WR, DE, and OT

but only likely to find impact players in round 1 and 2. So one is going unfulfilled.

by davver on Apr 26, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

I agree that these are all impact positions: (ranked)

1) DE
2)OT
3)WR
4)CB

If you fill DE then CB isn’t a big deal if we resign Wilson and Carr.

I’m hoping we can trade up in to the second round where we can get a impact WR and solid DE.

by instinct07 on Apr 26, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Disagree

While more challenging to find impact players later in the draft it is not a certainty that they won’t.

by 60minuteassassin on Apr 27, 2011 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions

With Zibby getting busted for pot, not to mention Landry (my guess) leaving the team via free agency

The later round safeties are looking interesting.

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Zbi got busted for pot? No way, I have not seen that stated anywhere. He definitely does not do that stuff.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 26, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Failed his drug test with his last boxing match

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

He got retested and came back clean

must have been a mistake

by Mayne_Event on Apr 26, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Linky?

I don’t see that anywhere.

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I just googled it and this was the first one I looked at

http://www.suntimes.com/5030999-417/second-drug-test-comes-back-clean-for-nfl-safety-tom-zbikowski.html

by Mayne_Event on Apr 26, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes I see it now, per Aaron Wilson

http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/62979833197633536

Yea!

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Per PFT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/26/zbikowski-submits-second-drug-test-nfl-will-review/

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Per Aaron Wilson too:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Tom-Zbikowski-reportedly-tests-positive-for-marijuana-appealing-result.html

by ursula on Apr 26, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Its on baltimoreravens.com and the Baltimore Sun as well. Apparently he plans on appealing it.

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 26, 2011 5:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I highly doubt Heyward comes to Baltimore. For me, there are 3-5 guys I am considering for that pick.
1. Jimmy Smith: Seems to be the consensus choice for us, but I believe he becomes a hot commodity come draft day due to lack of CBs and goes in the top 20. Not to mention he really is a top 15 talent

2. Da’Quan Bowers: Yes, perhaps a surprise to some, but this DE is a top 10 prospect and at one point the #1 overall pick. He’s dropped due to knee issues and there are some questions if he’s a 1 year wonder. Either way, I think you pick him even though he doesn’t fit our scheme, you build the scheme around him IMO. Good pass rusher and would clearly be BPA.

3. Justin Houston: Always have been high on him. Really good pass rusher, not a great overall LB yet. Some questions about what he’ll be (DE or OLB) but here is a guy that knows how to rush. Problems I have with him? Doesn’t pursue all the time and will have some difficulty dropping. I think he goes at the top of the 2nd, wouldn’t be a bad option to trade back for him.

4. Akeem Ayers: At first and really for weeks I have hated this talk of Ayers to Baltimore. However, I had caught word that he really did it all for UCLA and this guy has a great motor, takes good angles to make up for his lost speed, and shows nice moves as a pass rusher. Also is a big hitter and can cover, but I want to know if he’s strong enough to play the 3-4 OLB and if he can be a legitimate pass rusher. Interesting prospect that could get overlooked.

Other players who I think are in the mix: Aaron Williams, Jon Baldwin, Brooks Reed, Wilkerson and Carimi (although I expect them to be gone), and Marvin Austin.

by BmoreRavensFan on Apr 26, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Agree with the first 3 on this list (and I think that Bowers does fit in the hybrid end that Redding plays).

Disagree on Ayers although I am coming around to him.

Would like Wilkerson too and would rather Sherrod over Carimi (who I think is a RT only and I dont think its wise to spend a 1st round pick on a RT)

Dont think that Williams, Baldwin or Austin should be in play at 26.

by drd23 on Apr 27, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I would actually agree about us needing a safety. I don’t think this year just because this class is horrible, but I do not see Ruki as a permanent starter here. I like him as a back up, but IMO that’s all he is.

by AV23 on Apr 26, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I’d have to agree

by BmoreRavensFan on Apr 26, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

How far will Rahim Moore drop before we trade up and get him?

I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go in the first.

by Mayne_Event on Apr 26, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Trey Wingo is the host

;)

by ravsagain on Apr 26, 2011 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

I like Corey Luiget or Ayers at 26

by chemistrymajor on Apr 26, 2011 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

Interior DL and a 4-3 OLB? No thanks.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 27, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Ayers is

a solid pass rusher with long arms though.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 27, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s never shown he was consistently a solid pass rusher. Everyone just thinks he potentially can be a solid pass rusher.

by AV23 on Apr 27, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Kiper has compared Ayers to Suggs. He’d be hard to pass up at 26…

by JoshuaStein on Apr 27, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see those comparisons at all. I think Houston is a lot more comparable to Suggs. Suggs came into the draft leading the nation in sacks where Ayers didn’t really rush the passer at all.

by AV23 on Apr 27, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

The comparison was more about how their draft stock is/was affected by their workout numbers. Their draft stock fell because they both timed slower than expected. It had nothing to do with how they play

by drd23 on Apr 27, 2011 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I say screw the offense move up and get Jimmy Smith at #22 Ozzie before Philly nabs him!

by BALT21 on Apr 27, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

Sounds good to me.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 27, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

And Philly REALLY likes Smith, he isn’t going to get past them.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 27, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly, that’s what worried about. Hey Malor, according to the value chart, what would we have to give up to move one spot ahead of Philly? 1st and a 4th?

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 27, 2011 11:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

According to the ESPN draft value chart we would need to come up with 80 points. our 4th is worth 50 and where our 5th would be (Seattle has our pick) would be another 30. Teams don’t always go exactly by the charts, but yeah we would have to at least give up a 4th and then probably one or both of our 6ths I’m guessing.
Here’s the link for the value charts.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/news/story?id=2410670

by AV23 on Apr 27, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm. I think giving up a 4th, 6th, and 7th would be well worth it. As we’ve all discussed that we really don’t have room for 9 rookies.

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on Apr 27, 2011 11:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yea, teams rarely meet the points of the value chart when making trades, simply because it costs too much at times to move up. Teams cannot expect another team to give up 4 or 5 picks to move up 10 spots like the value chart says we would have to.

I could see a 1st and 4th being a fair deal, maybe throw in our 7th.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 27, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions